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Why Listen?
Welcome to Leaving CrazyTown, a podcast by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen. They help navigate life’s ups and downs, including codependency. With personal experiences and mental health expertise, they offer insights and strategies to overcome challenges and lead fulfilling lives. Episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement. This podcast is for anyone seeking guidance to improve mental health and well-being. Join Leaving CrazyTown and start your journey to a happier, healthier life.
Leaving CrazyTown
In this episode of Codependency Recovery: Leaving CrazyTown, Finn and Dr. Sarah get real about how communication breaks down when codependency takes the wheel. From the habitual “I don’t care” to the evasive “it’s complicated,” they unpack the language patterns that keep us disconnected from our true feelings. Through personal stories, humor, and practical insights, they reveal how to move from confusion to clarity—and why speaking your truth is a radical act of recovery.
Takeaways
Common codependent phrases like “I don’t care,” “I don’t know,” and “it’s complicated” often mask fear or avoidance.
Communication clarity begins with self-awareness—notice what you’re really feeling before responding.
Detachment from emotions is normal in early recovery; reconnecting takes intention and patience.
- Learning to express needs and preferences (even simple ones like dinner choices) builds emotional confidence.
- Honest language strengthens boundaries and self-trust.
Key Timestamps
[00:02:00] The four codependent communication habits: “I don’t care,” “I’m confused,” “I don’t know,” “It’s complicated.”
[00:04:30] How “I don’t know” masks fear of judgment and emotional vulnerability.
[00:07:00] The childhood roots of people-pleasing and early silence.
[00:10:00] Everyday examples of communication shutdown—how to spot and shift them.
[00:13:00] Why “It’s complicated” really means “I’m afraid to decide.”
[00:15:00] Final reflections: awareness, clarity, and courage to speak your truth.Notable Resources or Guest Links
If you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown—and share it with a friend ready to reclaim their voice and leave confusion behind.
Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. Each episode dives deep into the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and emotional recovery—with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up—we’re leaving CrazyTown.
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Meet Your Hosts - Sarah Michaud & Finn Allen
Dr. Sarah Michaud is a clinical psychologist who has worked in the field of addiction, recovery, and codependency for over thirty years. She began her career at a well-known psychiatric hospital outside of Boston and helped create the rehab program for a new residential center. Having achieved her own sobriety from alcohol and cocaine since 1984, Sarah brings her experience, education, and expertise to working with people and groups who struggle with difficult relationships and addiction. She is known for her sense of humor and direct approach to treatment.
Dr. Sarah Michaud is the author of the book CoCrazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction Memoir and Manual to Freedom. Her latest adventure is co-hosting the YouTube channel Leaving CrazyTown with her friend Finn, a sober transgender attorney. They discuss serious and difficult topics with a sense of humor. She believes sobriety is about living your best life, finding peace, and experiencing joy. Finding freedom from addiction and codependent relationships allows you to find that joy.
Finn Allen, a sober tax attorney by day and a Codependency Recovery YouTube channel co-host at night.
Finn’s first suicide attempt was before age ten because he was “raised” by “wolves.” He discovered achievement as a way to manage and survive trauma/abuse. This resulted in numerous degrees and, eventually, becoming a tax attorney. Numbers, we can control.
He got sober in 2016, precipitating the transition from his identity with achievement to a new attachment and dedication to live a joyous, connected life.
In 2020, Finn met Dr. Sarah Michaud in a twelve-step Zoom meeting. They decided to create an online codependency recovery group focused on solutions, empowering relationships, and finding freedom from repetitive patterns of connection. It was during the co-hosting of this group that Finn could accept that he was transgender. Ironically the name of the group was Coming Home to Ourselves. Finn’s transition has led to many comical and not-so-comical growth opportunities. Despite the challenges, he is finally home in his body and the world.
Finn and Sarah launched their YouTube channel, Leaving CrazyTown, in the fall of 2022 as a way to reach a larger audience and support people in healing from codependency and addiction while experiencing joy, laughter, self-compassion and the journey home to who you were always meant to be.
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